Ritchey-Chrétien optical design: This Astro-Tech optical tube is a true Ritchey-Chrétien (R-C) reflector optical system. Unlike a Maksutov-Cassegrain or Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric scope (that uses simple spherical mirrors and corrector lenses), or Newtonian reflectors (that use a coma-producing parabolic primary mirror), this Astro-Tech R-C is a Cassegrain-type two-mirror optical system that uses a concave hyperbolic primary and a convex hyperbolic secondary mirror to form its images. These sophisticated and difficult-to-make mirrors combine to produce images at the Cassegrain focus at the rear of this Astro-Tech scope that are free from coma and spherical aberration, with a smaller spot size, over a much wider field than conventional Newtonians or catadioptrics. The images are likewise free from the chromatic aberration found in refractors and some catadioptrics.
Because of this wide coma-free field, small spot size, and relatively fast focal ratio, the Ritchey-Chrétien design is particularly well suited to astrophotography, rather than visual observing. For imaging, the R-C is the optical system of choice for most of the major professional observatory imaging telescopes built in the last half-century. For example, the Hubble Space Telescope, the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes in Hawaii, and the four 8.2 meter telescopes of the Very Large Telescope array in Chile are all Ritchey-Chrétiens. For serious amateur astronomers and astrophotographers without NASA’s optical budget, an Astro-Tech R-C is likewise the imaging system of choice.

Fully multicoated quartz and BK7 mirrors: The primary mirror of the 6” Astro-Tech is first-quality BK7 optical glass, while the 8” and larger Astro-Tech R-Cs use primary mirrors of low thermal expansion quartz for maximum focus stability during long exposure imaging sessions. Both 6” R-C mirrors are vacuum-coated with enhanced aluminum for high reflectivity and overcoated with a durable layer of silicon monoxide (quartz) for long life. The 8” and larger mirrors are dielectric multi-coated for long life and reflectivity approaching 99%+.

Computer designed and fabricated optics: To keep the cost of each Astro-Tech R-C so reasonable when compared to competitive R-C scopes, the computer-optimized Astro-Tech hyperboloid mirrors are automatically ground and finished to very high tolerances using custom-made computerized mirror grinding machines. This precision computer control guarantees an exact repeatability of figure from mirror to mirror that is difficult to achieve using more costly conventional hand figuring. After grinding and polishing, each mirror is individually tested multiple times during fabrication using Zygo interferometers to assure that it meets or exceeds its designed performance standards.

Frill-free design: To further keep its cost reasonable, an Astro-Tech R-C does away with most of the bells and whistles found on competitive scopes that add little to their performance (but much to their cost). For example, Astro-Tech front and rear cells are first die-cast, then CNC machine-finished, rather than completely CNC machined from raw stock at considerably greater expense but no significant improvement in performance as is the case with other R-Cs. Glare stops in many of the optical tubes are a molded insert, rather than machined aluminum, resulting in a significant savings in cost at no appreciable difference in performance. The Astro-Tech scopes use an external manual dual-speed Crayford focuser, rather than the considerably more complicated and much more costly motorized movable secondary mirror system that other manufacturers use for focusing. The result of the Astro-Tech no-frills approach is genuine Ritchey-Chrétien wide-field performance at a fraction the cost of other commercial R-C systems. While the mechanical bells and whistles may be limited in an Astro-Tech R-C, an Astro-Tech scope still has the high precision flat field/coma-free true Ritchey-Chrétien optics that are the most important reason for buying an R-C scope.

Mechanical features of this Telescope’s Optical System . . .

Fixed primary mirror with computer optimized primary and secondary baffling: Unlike traditional Cassegrain designs that move the primary mirror fore and aft along the central baffle tube in order to achieve focus (which can lead to image shift and focal length changes as the mirror position is adjusted) each Astro-Tech R-C primary mirror is fixed at the precise focal length required for optimum sharpness. The Astro-Tech is focused externally by means of a dual-speed 2” Crayford-style focuser on the rear cell, thereby eliminating a Cassegrain’s moving mirror image shift and focal length change during focusing. Molded field stops are installed along the interior of the optical tube to effectively prevent stray off-axis light from reaching the image plane, resulting in improved contrast. In addition multiple glare-stop microbaffles on the inner surfaces of the primary mirror baffle tube and the secondary mirror light shield further prevent off-axis light from reaching the image plane, resulting in still further improved contrast.

Collimatable secondary mirror: Since the primary mirror of an Astro-Tech R-C is fixed in position, only the secondary mirror can (or needs to) be collimated. This makes it easy to keep the Astro-Tech RC optics aligned for peak performance. Collimation adjustments to the secondary mirror are made by adjusting the three collimating screws in the back of the secondary mirror holder.

Cooling fan: The open tube R-C design allows for fast cool-down of the primary and secondary mirrors. Built-in fans on the rear cell of the 10” and larger scopes increases the air-flow around the optics to achieve still quicker “cool down” times of the larger primary mirrors. The 6” and 8” scopes do not have primary mirror cooling fans, as their mirrors are small enough to cool down quickly without any external aid.

The AT8RC that Astro-Tech helped develop was the first sensibly-priced 8” true Ritchey-Chrétien astrograph available from a U. S. company. Sensibly-priced? Yes – but with premium features like a carbon fiber body, quartz mirrors, dielectric mirror coatings, two dovetail mounting rails, and more that led Sky & Telescope magazine to name it a Hot Product for 2010, along with its larger 10" brother, the AT10RC.

As Sky & Telescope pointed out in their Hot Product citation, “Ritchey-Chrétien reflectors are highly regarded among today's elite astrophotographers, and premium instruments often carry price tags starting at about $1,000 per inch of aperture. So it's the best kind of "sticker shock" to see the prices for Astro-Tech's 8- and 10-inch f/8 Ritchey-Chrétiens, which pack features too numerous to list here. Our review of the 8-inch scope appears in December 2009, and our initial hands-on look at the 10-inch suggests that it will be equally exciting for deep sky astrophotographers." Excerpts from the December Sky & Telescope review are quoted below.

The Ritchey-Chrétien optical design is used in virtually every recent large mega-million dollar professional observatory telescope – including the Hubble Space Telescope. And more “affordable” true coma-free Ritchey-Chrétien optical systems made for schools and individuals by commercial R-C manufacturers typically come only in large apertures and often start at well over $1,000 per inch of aperture, as noted above by Sky & Telescope. Their size and cost put them out of the reach of most amateur astronomers. At least, true Ritchey-Chrétiens used to start at out-of-reach prices.

The Astro-Tech AT8RC astrograph (a telescope designed specifically for photographing comparatively wide areas of the sky) makes the coma-free imaging of true Ritchey-Chrétien imaging optics available to the DSLR and CCD astrophotographer at a price less than that of most CCD cameras. It is not designed for digiscoping through an eyepiece. Featuring first-quality 99% reflectivity dielectric mirror coatings (something even the $1,000 per inch of aperture R-Cs typically don’t have), premium low thermal expansion quartz mirrors rather than ordinary optical glass, and a high strength/low thermal expansion carbon fiber optical tube, this economical 8” Astro-Tech R-C makes you wonder just what those outrageously expensive R-Cs have that makes them cost so much.

The December 2009 issue of Sky & Telescope said “during the 1970s, there was an explosive growth of the hobby of deep-sky astrophotography that parallels the growing popularity of 8-inch f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. These scopes delivered decent star images across a field about 3/4° in diameter with enough resolution to record detail in small star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The AT8RC does that with even better star images, a larger field, and a slightly faster focal ratio. What's not to like?!”

Designed for exceptional imaging, the Astro-Tech AT8RC provides the wide coma-free photographic field that DSLR and CCD astrophotographers crave, but can’t get from conventional reflectors and Schmidt-Cassegrains. Likewise, as a pure two-mirror system, the AT8RC is totally free from the spurious color that affects the imaging of all but the most costly apochromatic refractors, and it does it with an 8” aperture that dwarfs the light gathering of most apo refractors.

The AT8RC photo of IC1396, the “Elephant’s Trunk Nebula,” in the “images of some features” section below is from AT8RC owner John O’Neill. It was taken with an SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera and Astrodon filters. According to John, “This scope performed exceptionally well, but the camera distance from the back of the scope may be a bit unsettling for some users.” (See the section on the Crayford focuser, below, for an explanation.)

"The performance of the 8" surprised me," John continued. "I was able to get plenty of data using relatively short exposures of 400 sec x 4 through LRGB filters. Can't wait for the 12” RC to be produced.” John has since bought a 10” AT10RC to tide him over until the 12” AT12RC is in production.

If serious astrophotography is your goal, but the price of most true Ritchey-Chrétien optics has been keeping you from the optical design most modern professional observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope use for their imaging, your wait is over. The Astro-Tech AT8RC astrograph can bring the world of professional DSLR/CCD deep space imaging to your backyard observatory at a truly affordable price.

The December 2009 issue of Sky & Telescope said about the Astro-Tech AT8IN 8" F/4 imaging Newtonian optical tube, AT6RC, and AT8RC, "of the three scopes, I liked this one (the AT8RC) the best. Its advanced features beyond those of the six-inch RC – carbon-fiber tube, quartz optics, and dual mounting rails (Losmandy and Vixen-style dovetails) – were part of the reason. But it was how nicely this scope is matched to APS-C and 35-mm formats that really wowed me.”

Sky & Telescope concluded by saying, “Astro-Tech has done a great job of balancing performance and price on all three of these imaging telescopes. By optimizing them for use with the cameras that many beginning and intermediate-level astrophotographers are using, the company has created affordable instruments that can produce stunning images. It's an exciting time to be entering the field of deep-sky astrophotography."

Hyperboloid primary mirror: Made of low thermal expansion quartz, rather than the ordinary optical glass used by competitors. Ground and polished under precision computer control to diffraction-limited or better surface accuracy. Unlike catadioptric designs (SCTs, Maksutovs, etc.) that move the primary mirror fore and aft in the optical tube to focus (which can lead to image shift as the mirror position changes) the AT8RC primary mirror is fixed to eliminate both a catadioptric’s image shift and the primary mirror collimation requirements of a Newtonian reflector.

Hyperboloid secondary mirror: Made of low thermal expansion quartz, rather than ordinary optical glass. Ground and polished under precision computer control to diffraction-limited or better surface accuracy. Mounted in a four-vane spider and fully collimatable using simple standard Cassegrain reflector collimating techniques. Unlike complicated R-C designs that use motors to move the secondary mirror fore and aft to focus, the AT8RC secondary mirror is fixed and focusing is done externally.

The December 2009 issue of Sky & Telescope said that the Astro-Tech R-Cs’ fixed primary and secondary mirrors “eliminate image shift, which has been the bane of Cassegrain scopes with moving-mirror focusing systems . . . It also keeps the effective focal length of the system constant, and the infinity focal point remains at a fixed point outside of the telescope, neither of which is the case with moving-mirror systems that change the separation between a Cassegrain’s primary and secondary mirrors.”

99% reflectivity dielectric coated optics: Both primary and secondary mirrors have non-tarnishing state-of-the-art dielectric mirror coatings. These have a full 99% reflectivity for the brightest possible images. This is substantially higher than the 88% reflectivity of competitors’ conventional aluminum coatings or the 94-96% reflectivity of enhanced aluminum coatings.

Carbon fiber optical tube: Made of light weight/high strength woven carbon fiber-reinforced composite material with extremely low thermal expansion characteristics to reduce the possibility of temperature-related focus changes that can occur with rolled steel tube systems during extreme temperature swings. Die-cast and machined aluminum front and rear cells. The 9” o.d. x 18” long carbon fiber tube is virtually indestructible. The use of a carbon fiber composite reduces the weight of the optical tube with no loss of strength or rigidity compared to a steel tube. Carbon fiber composites are so strong that the new $200,000,000 Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger jet will use a wing and fuselage made almost entirely out of carbon fiber. Because of the use of a carbon fiber optical tube, the weight of this 8” R-C is only a little more than two pounds heavier than the steel tube 6” Astro-Tech R-C.

The December 2009 issue of Sky & Telescope said “the carbon-fiber tube did a good job of holding focus over the modest temperature changes occurring during my summer evenings. More telling, perhaps, was the scope’s tendency to remain accurately focused after several days of inactivity during which the temperature in my backyard observatory would cycle over a huge range."

Dual-speed linear Crayford focuser: A new design 2” Crayford focuser is threaded onto the 90mm x 1mm pitch rear cell of the AT8RC. The matte black interior of the new longer 50mm travel drawtube has anti-reflection threading for high contrast. The focuser can be rotated to any convenient angle for the sake of photographic composition by simply loosening the collar that secures the focuser to the scope body, rotating the focuser to the desired angle, and tightening the collar to lock the focuser in the new orientation.

The new bearing-less linear focuser has a polished stainless steel drive rail that runs the length of the drawtube, rather than having the stainless steel drive shaft simply press directly on (and wear) the aluminum drawtube as with conventional Crayford focusers. The drive rail rides in a self-lubricating track that extends most of the length of the focuser body. The drive rail and its attached drawtube are thereby supported over most of their length at all times, rather than by a conventional Crayford focuser’s two sets of small contact area roller bearings. This system distributes the drive force evenly over the entire drawtube, without concentrating it on a few small contact points. The result is less potential drawtube flexure and no wear (much less uneven wear) on the drawtube.

The precision-made non-vignetting focuser has dual-speed focusing. There are two coarse focusing knobs. The right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with a 10:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio. This provides exceptionally precise image control during critical imaging. All focus knobs are ribbed, so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. Multiple internal baffles in the focuser drawtube assure high contrast.

Despite the new more rigid focuser design, the weight of very heavy equipment trains (camera, plus filter wheel, plus temperature-compensated electric focuser, etc.) may cause the 50mm long focuser drawtube to tilt slightly when fully extended, affecting the focus. Three threaded extension rings (two 1” in length and one 2”) are provided to install singly or in combination between the AT8RC rear cell and the focuser. These provide a flex-free solid metal extension that changes the distance between the focuser and the rear cell. This lets you accommodate the varying back-focus requirements of DSLR-type camera imaging versus long equipment train CCD imaging, while minimizing the need to extend the focuser drawtube. Additional optional 1” and 2” long threaded extension rings are available to fine-tune the back focus as needed, as well as optional Astro-Tech 2” compression ring extension tubes that fit into the focuser drawtube.

The image plane is located 10” behind the rear cell. With the standard dual-speed Crayford focuser installed on the scope, there is 159.71mm of back focus available from the top surface of the 2” accessory holder to the image plane.

For exceptionally long and heavy imaging equipment trains, the standard Crayford focuser can be user-replaced by an optional 1.5” travel Feather Touch focuser from Starlight Instruments, #FT-1.5BC. This requires a 90mm x 1mm pitch rear cell thread to Feather Touch adapter, #M90X1. Optional MoonLite focusers from MoonLite Telescope Accessories can also be used.

For even more impressive coma-free imaging with the AT8RC, consider adding the Astro-Tech AT2FF field flattener. While not specifically designed to work with Ritchey-Chrétien astrographs, images taken with the field flattener by Astro-Tech R-C owners have shown that the Astro-Tech 2" field flattener works remarkably well with these advanced coma-free reflectors as well as with refractors. This modestly-priced imaging accessory essentially eliminates the residual field curvature inherent in all reflector telescope designs, so that the coma-free star images remain point-like all across the field. An optical analysis and ray tracing of the field flattener was done in ZEMAX and applied to the R-Cs by Roger Ceragioli, the noted optical designer who did the final optimization of the Astro-Tech Ritchey-Chrétien optics. Here is what he had to say about the #AT2FF, “My conclusion, which seems supported by what users are saying, is that you don't need any other field flattener. This one performs well over a 40mm image circle in all three small RCs (6", 8", and 10")."

Two compression ring accessory holders: The focuser drawtube ends in a 2” accessory holder that uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring to hold 2” imaging accessories in place. The compression ring won’t scratch the barrel of your accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can. Also supplied is a 1.25” accessory holder that slips into the 2” compression ring holder to let you use 1.25” imaging accessories. Like the 2” accessory holder on the drawtube, the 1.25” adapter also uses a non-marring soft brass compression ring.

Two dovetail mounting rails: Two dovetail rails are provided for installing the AT8RC on an equatorial mount, as well as for mounting optional accessories (such as a photoguide scope) on top of the AT8RC. One is a Losmandy-style “D-plate” dovetail rail that runs the full length of the underside of the optical tube, for installing the AT8RC on a Losmandy-style equatorial mount. The second is a Vixen-style dovetail rail that runs the full length of the top of the tube. This can be used for installing a photoguide ring set, piggyback camera adapter, or any other accessory that attaches to a scope by means of Vixen-style dovetail adapters. If the AT8RC is rotated 180°, it will bring the Vixen-style rail to the bottom of the tube so it can be used to install the AT8RC on a Vixen-style equatorial mount. Competitors provide only one Vixen-style dovetail. Providing two dovetail rails on the Astro-Tech AT8RC does not limit your choice of mounts or accessory mounting options, as can happen with similar scopes provided with only one mounting rail.

Finderscope dovetail: a Vixen-style finderscope bracket dovetail base is installed on the upper left side of the optical tube. It can easily be removed if not needed. It will accept Vixen-style finderscope brackets as well as red dot-type finders, such as the Astro-Tech #ATF.

Other accessories: A snap-in dust cap is standard.

Two year warranty: As an expression of the confidence Astronomy Technologies has in the quality of their products, the Astro-Tech AT8RC is protected by a two-year limited warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship.

This is the length of the effective optical path of a telescopeor eyepiece (the distance from the main mirror or lens where the lightis gathered to the point where the prime focus image is formed). Focallength is typically expressed in millimeters.

The longer the focallength, the higher the magnification and the narrower the field of viewwith any given eyepiece. The shorter the focal length, the lower themagnification and the wider the field of view with the same eyepiece.

This is the ‘speed’ of a telescope’s optics, found by dividing the focal
length by the aperture. The smaller the f/number, the lower the
magnification, the wider the field, and the brighter the image with any
given eyepiece or camera.

Fast f/4 to f/5 focal ratios are generally
best for lower power wide field observing and deep space photography.
Slow f/11 to f/15 focal ratios are usually better suited to higher power
lunar, planetary, and binary star observing and high power photography.
Medium f/6 to f/10 focal ratios work well with either.

An f/5
system can photograph a nebula or other faint extended deep space object
in one-fourth the time of an f/10 system, but the image will be only
one-half as large. Point sources, such as stars, are recorded based on
the aperture, however, rather than the focal ratio – so that the larger
the aperture, the fainter the star you can see or photograph, no matter
what the focal ratio.

This is the ability of a telescope to separate closely-spaced binary
stars into two distinct objects, measured in seconds of arc. One arc
second equals 1/3600th of a degree and is about the width of a 25-cent
coin at a distance of three miles! In essence, resolution is a measure
of how much detail a telescope can reveal. The resolution values on our
website are derived using the Dawes’ limit formula.

Dawes’ limit only
applies to point sources of light (stars). Smaller separations can be
resolved in extended objects, such as the planets. For example,
Cassini’s Division in the rings of Saturn (0.5 arc seconds across), was
discovered using a 2.5” telescope – which has a Dawes’ limit of 1.8 arc
seconds!

The ability of a telescope to resolve to Dawes’ limit is
usually much more affected by seeing conditions, by the difference in
brightness between the binary star components, and by the observer’s
visual acuity, than it is by the optical quality of the telescope.

Observing terrestrial objects (nature studies, birding, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial observing. Scopes with apertures under 5" to 6" are generally most useful for terrestrial observing due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes.

Visual observation of the Moon is possible with any telescope. Larger aperture scopes will provide more detail than smaller scopes, thereby getting a higher score in this category, but may require an eyepiece filter to cut down the greater glare from the Moon's sunlit surface so small details can be seen more easily. Lunar observing is more rewarding when the Moon is waxing or waning as the changing sun angle casts constantly varying shadows to reveal craters and surface features by the hundreds.

Photographing terrestrial objects (wildlife, scenery, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial photography. Scopes with focal ratios of f/10 and faster and apertures under 5" to 6" are generally the most useful for terrestrial photography due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes.

Photography of the Moon is possible with virtually any telescope, using a 35mm camera, DSLR, or CCD-based webcam (planetary imager). While an equatorial mount with a motor drive is not strictly essential, as the exposure times will be very short, such a mount would be helpful to improve image sharpness, particularly with webcam-type cameras that take a series of exposures over time and stack them together. Reflectors may require a Barlow lens to let the camera reach focus.

I had been looking for a scope to use for galaxy season. It had to have enough focal length to allow any potential targets to fit well into the frame of my APS sized DSLR. In addition to that, it needed to have no coma and and a relatively flat field. The AT8RC seemed to fit these requirements. At a native focal ratio of f/8, I was worried my exposure times would be too long, so I searched for a reducer that would work work with it. I found that some other imagers were using the Astro Physics CCDT67 with the AT8RC. I tried this combination and it not only did it reducer, but even flattened the field a bit so overall this combination turned out to be great. The AT8RC is just the right size to balance the need for aperture, weight and portability in a medium focal length scope. The carbon fiber tube also helps with focus stability. I found the focuser to be adequate although serious imagers may want to upgrade to a Moonlite. Collimation may be a bit more difficult than a 8" SCT but there is plenty of info on the .net to help figure it out. Some folks may have an issue with the obvious diffraction spikes on bright stars and it goes with the territory of this design, but I like them. Overall the AT8RC makes a great scope for those looking to get into longer focal length imaging but don't want to deal with the coma and field curvature of standard SCTs.

Was this comment helpful?
YesNo
(4 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

2. Berton 4/30/2013, said:

I purchased one of these when they were first released and it has been the greatest scope I have ever owned. Apart from the AT66 which is a great little gem, nothing has impressed me as much as this AT8RC. I have this coupled to a modified Xsi via a moonlight focuser and a Televue reducer. I believe there is no better bang for the buck and even if you are not restricted by money, this is a great setup.

The scope is rear heavy so I had to add some weight to the front to get it to balance on my CGE. I also found it very difficult to colimate. I purchased a high end Howie Glatter laser that has a circle projection for colimating. You should follow his directions as a RC takes very special care in aligning properly. In my opinion I should say. But once perfectly colimated, it seems to hold it very well and the defraction spikes are incredible with equal lengths and nice color bars.

This scope has been so good that I am now seeking to get the 10" or possibly the 12" now. If you are thinking about this scope, there is nothing to think about, you are not going to get a better piece if equipment anywhere near this price range.

Was this comment helpful?
YesNo
(3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

3. Jasonon 10/27/2012, said:

The AT8RC is my main imaging scope now for the past 2 years +. I have been thoroughly satisfied with it. First of all, the optics are first rate. When combined with the AT2FF Field Flattener, I get sharp, round stars to the corner using my Canon 1000D.

The focuser holds the smaller Canon DSLR's just fine. Once focused, the lock is very secure. I have found that the threaded extension tubes used between the focuser and OTA do a much better job of eliminating flexure than those that are used in the eyepiece holder. They also allow for any camera/filter wheel combination to be focused. Using the Canon DSLR and AT2FF, I use the 2" extension.

Collimation was not difficult at all. Thus far, the only adjustments I have had to make were regarding the secondary mirror when it first arrived. The scope holds collimation very well, though admittedly, I don't transport this scope very often as it spends most of it's time on the CGEM in the observatory.

All in all, I think it is a well designed scope with nice optics and well though out mechanics. I see it staying in my scope line up for a very long time. A fellow club member recently acquired the 12" RC and it too is a very nice scope. Astro-Tech continues to impress me!

Check out some of my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblaschka/

Was this comment helpful?
YesNo
(13 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not)

If you’ve found a lower delivered price on this product, let us know about it below. We’ll do our best to meet or beat that price and will get back to you within one business day with our best offer. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to give you a better deal.

Your Name:

Price:

From Who:

Context:

Magazine AdOnline

Website Address:

Cut and paste the web address into the box above

Your Email:

Confirm Email:

We’ll do our best to meet or beat that price and will get back to you within one business day with our best offer. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to give you a better deal.

Clear skies,
Astronomics

The Astro-Tech AT8RC is the first affordable 8” Ritchey-Chrétien with premium features available to the amateur astronomer who is into serious deep space imaging. Sky & Telescope agrees, as they named the AT8RC a Sky & Telescope Hot Product for 2010. A review in the December 2009 Sky & Telescope said “it was how nicely this scope is matched to APS-C and 35mm formats that really wowed me.”